Josh Shalla has played more games in the ECHL (66) than he has the AHL (58). Is there a place in Milwaukee for him at some point this season? (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)

This afternoon the Milwaukee Admirals have announced a roster move that will assign Josh Shalla, Jaynen Rissling, and Mikko Vainonen to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. All three players were healthy scratches in the Admirals opening two games this past weekend. The lone healthy scratch to not join this group to Cincinnati is Jonathan-Ismael Diaby.

With the Admirals carrying nine total defensemen over the weekend you had to expect a move would be coming. I do find it interesting that it appears Taylor Aronson has in fact worked himself into a spot above, at least, Rissling and Vainonen. I wouldn’t anticipate the defense than has won the opening two games to be shaken up right away either. So that would mean some more time out for Diaby. It could be that both Aronson and Diaby flip in-and-out of the lineup this season in similar fashion to how Charles-Olivier Roussel was utilized as a seventh defenseman last season.

As for Shalla, in his first two professional seasons he has fluctuated between the Admirals and Cyclones. His points production as an Admiral has never been as good as a Cyclone. 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in 58 games as an Admiral. 58 points (35 goals, 23 assists) in 66 games as a member of the Cyclones.

The move down for Shalla is probably more indicative of the fourth line performance of Joe Pendenza, Frederick Gaudreau, and Zach Budish than it is a return from injury for Patrick Cehlin or Mike Liambas. Both players out with injury still seem to be on the road back to full fitness. Meanwhile the Admirals fourth line, with Pendenza playing Shalla’s left wing role, has come up with 6 combined points in the first two games – including a goal for each player on the line.

What’s your take on today’s roster moves? Do you think we will see Josh Shalla again at some point this season here in Milwaukee? Are you surprised to see Taylor Aronson picked ahead of Jaynen Rissling and Mikko Vainonen?